Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? In the UK it’s the most romantic day of the year!

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

February 14th is traditionally a celebration of love, so how do people in the UK mark the occasion?

Cards

Sending a Valentine’s card to a loved one is a custom that started more than a century ago. Couples give cards to each other, but it is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you secretly love. This practice is particularly common in schools and can be a source of great amusement and embarrassment as everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a secret admirer! Valentine’s Day symbols on cards include hearts designs, doves, and the figure of the winged angel, Cupid.

Poems

The card might also feature a poem. Probably the most famous lines from a Valentine’s Day poem are:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Honey is sweet, and so are you.

There are some ironic variations on this poem such as:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
You look like a monkey and smell like one too!

Mobile love

Millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine’s Day greeting messages such as e-cards, social media posts or printable greeting cards. Texting your Valentine message is an easy (although maybe not very romantic!) option. Valentine’s Day text messages include:

WUBMV – will you be my Valentine

xoxoxoxoxo – hugs and kisses

LUWAM<3 – love you with all my heart

ImRdy4Luv – I’m ready for love

:'-) – I’m so happy, I’m crying

ILUVU – I love you

Flowers and chocolates

As well as cards, February 14th is also a day for giving gifts. Traditionally, men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends. There are lots of websites offering advice on which Valentine’s present to buy. Popular choices include red roses, a box of chocolates, romantic songs, a phone, jewellery, a photo frame or perfume.

Unusual gifts

Some people think that flowers and chocolates seem a little ordinary and so they look for a more unusual gift. For romantic people with plenty of cash, these gifts could include a helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to test-drive a Ferrari or an all-day session at a health club.

Others, however, complain that Valentine’s Day is yet another opportunity for ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics, the gift of love is enough. Valentine's Day is a popular day to either propose or get married – you’d never forget your wedding anniversary!

Valentine’s Day: love it or hate it?

We asked a few Brits about their views on Valentine’s Day and here’s what they said. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day, all the comments below are anonymous.

Discussion

Comments

Hi, I live in Brazil. We don't have Valentaine's Day. We have "dias dos namorados" in June 12Th. We usually give chocolate or rose, but Brazil is very commercial, so many people give gems, clothes, perfums, and others expensive things.

Well, that's romantic day, i know.
But with me, a 15 year old girl, it's time for me and my family , not boyfriend!! Itz because of being single you know LoL. ^^. Hope many couples will be happy in that day .
-I'm from Vietnam.

Well, many couples used to celebrate Valentines in my country . But Valentines day is just ordinary day for singles. Valentines is a special day to confess to someone or spending a special day with someone you love or like . I celebrated this year valentines with my friends and families . I spend Valentines with my family this year . Although is a Couple day , but i still love it <3 :)